Cornhusking machine



2 Sl'leecs-SheeI l s. E. MORRAL CORNHUSKING MACHINE Fild Nov. 8, 1938 WMM Sept. 30, 1941.

Sept. 30,` 1941. s. E. MoRRAl.

coRNHUsKING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet E Filed Nov. 8, 1938 /1/'5 A T TDH/VE Y.

Patented Sept. 30, 1941 ooRNHUsKiNG MACHINE Samuel E. Morral, Morral, Ohio, assignor of onehalf to William W. Morral, Morral, Ohio Application November 8, 1938, Serial No. 239,530

(Cl. 13G-5) 11 Claims.

This invention relates to corn husking machines and it is in the nature of an improvement on the machine shown in Patent No. 1,556,016, granted me October 6, 1925. That machine comprises an ear removing device and conveyor elements arranged at the opposite ends of the ear removing device to move stalks of corn transversely to their length to and beyond theear removing device, so as to cause the ears to be engaged and removed by the ear removing device. The stalks are delivered from the ear removing device toa binding table where they are bound into` bundles. The removed ears are delivered to husking rollers which remove the husks therefrom and discharge the husks into a chute which leads to the binding table, a conveyor being arranged in the rear part of the chute to feed the husks forwardly to the table, where they are bound into the bundles with the stalks. The operation of the binding mechanism is initiated by a downwardly moving trip lever mounted on the binding table and arranged to be actuated by the pressure of the stalks when the latter have accumulated in suiiicient number to form a bundle. While this machine operates very satisfactorily it has been found that when an ear of corn engages the ear removing device the for- Ward movement of the intermediate portion of the stalk is retarded with the result that the stalks are sometimes delivered to the binding table in a bent or uneven condition which interferes with the proper binding thereof. Further, the husks do not move freely through the forward part of the chute and sometimes clog the same. Owing to bent stalks or an uneven piling of the stalks on the binding table it sometimes happens that suicient pressure is not exerted on the trip lever to operate the same until anexeessively large number of stalks have accumulated.

One object of the invention is to provide supplemental means arranged beyond the ear removing device to advance the intermediate portions of the stalks and thus cause the same to be delivered to the binding table in a substantially straight condition.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for positively ejecting the husks from the Cil Other objects of the invention may appear as the mechanism is described in detail.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a plan view of a machine embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of that machine; Fig. 3 is a front elevation of a portion of the mechanism, showing the supplemental stalk feeding device; and Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view showing the supplemental feeding device in elevation.

In these drawings I have illustrated one embodiment of the invention and have shown the same as embodied in a machine having substantially the construction of the machine of the aforesaid patent but it will be understood that the present improvements may take various forms and may be embodied in husking machines of various kinds.

In this particular embodiment of the invention the machine comprises a main frame I0 supported by wheels II and having upright standards I2 and I3 arranged respectively near the front and rear ends thereof. Mounted on these standards near the upper ends thereof is a table I4 having a downwardly inclined rear portion I5 which is provided at its rear" end with an upwardly extending member I6,the inclined portion of the tableand the member I6 forming a receptacle or trough in which the stalks of corn may be piled prior to feeding the same to the machine. Supported at one side of the main frame is a platform I'I upon which the operator stands. Mounted on the upper portions of the uprights I2 are ltransverse bars I8 and I9 on which is mounted an ear removing device. This device preferably comprises husking rollers 2D and 2I mounted Arespectively on shafts 22 and 23 journaled invbearings carried by the respective transverse members I8 and I9. In the form shown each of these rollers has a central ear removing portion 2liA and is provided on opposite sides of that ear removingportion with spiral ribs 25 which are turned in opposite directions so that as a stalk of corn `passes between the rollers the butt of the ear will engage the rollers and the spirals Vacting onthe stem of the ear will move the ear and the stalk lengthwise of the rollers to bring the stem ofthe ear between the ear removing portions ofthe two rollers, thereby severing the ear from the stalk. The stalks of corn are fed .transversely to their length to the ear removing device by conveyor elements which are here shown as conveyor chains 26 mounted at their rear ends on sprocket wheels 21, carried by `the table I4, and supported at their forward ends Aby sprocket `wheels or other rotatable elements 28 carried by a shaft 29 journaled in bearing brackets 23a supported bythe upright members I2. The upper stretches of these chains pass between the shafts 22 and 23 at the respective ends of the rollers and thus carry the stalks of corn between and beyond the rollers. 'Ihe stalks are held in contact with the conveyor elements by rearwardly extending guide bars 31B and forwardly extending guide bars 3 I. Arranged beyond and below the ear removing rollers is a binding table 32 on which the stalks are delivered by the conveyor elements, and associated with this binding table is suitable mechanism for binding the stalks into bundles. This mechanism being well known in the art it is not necessary to describe the same in detail but it may be noted that it comprises a plurality of gathering arms 33 mounted below the table and actuated by a crank shaft 34. These gathering arms are actuated continuously and serve to move the stalks forwardly on the table and accumulate the same in a compact bundle. When a suiiicient number of stalks has accumulated on the table the weight and pressure thereof will actuate a trip lever 35 which will operate a clutch mechanism, not here shown, to initiate the operation of the bundle tieing and ejecting devices, which include a needle 36 which carries the twine about the 'bundle to the tieing devices, not here shown, an ejector arm 31 and a movable stop or gate 38 at the lower end of the binding table which normally retains the stalks on the table but is swung downwardly to permit the discharge of the tied bundle.

Mounted beyond of the ear removing device and between the same and the binding table is a supplemental feeding device arranged to engage the intermediate portions of the stalks and move the same forwardly, thus preventing the lagging thereof and causing thestalks to be delivered to the binding table in a substantially straight condition. As here shown, this supplemental feeding device is in the form of a toothed element or star wheel 39 which is rotatably mounted between the forward portions of the conveyor elements and so arranged that its teeth will extend above the conveyor chains. Where the forward sprockets 28 are mounted on a single shaft this toothed wheel may be secured to that shaft for rotation therewith. The toothed wheel will engage the intermediate portions of the stalks immediately after the latter pass the ear removing rollers and will advance the same toward the binding table, and means are provided for disengaging the teeth of this rotatable element from the stalks before the latter reach the table. In the present construction a guide 4t! extends forwardly from the ear removing rollers above the axis of the toothed wheel and has its forward portion curved downwardly, es shown at 4i. This guide is preferably in the form of a plate which is slotted, as shown at 42', te permit the teeth of the wheel to project bevond the same. The shape of the guide plate is such that the upper teeth of the wheel will project a substantialV distance above the same to enable them to engage the stalks, and the curved forward portion of the guide plate is spaced increasing distances from the axis of the wheel so that the lower portion thereof is spaced beyond the ends of the teeth as the latter approach the binding table, thus causing the teeth to be withdrawn from engagement with the stalks after the stalks have passed beyond the conveyor elements 26. The guide plate 40 extends laterally from the toothed wheel 39 to points adjacent to the respective conveyors 25 and thus serves to disengage the stops from the conveyor lugs as well as from the teeth of the wheel. It will be noted, however, that the teeth of the wheel extend radially beyond the lugs of the conveyor and therefore pass to the rear of the guide sooner than do the teeth of the wheel, thus permitting the wheel to impart further movement to the intermediate'portion of the stalk and straighten the same after the conveyor elements have been disengaged therefrom.

The ears which are removed from the stalks are delivered through a chute 44 to husking rollers 45 which remove the husks therefrom and deliver the husked ears through a chute 45 to a suitable point of discharge, such as an elevator 41 which deposits the ears in the bed of a wagon with which the husking machine may be connected for the purpose of moving the same from one shock to the next. The husks pass between the rollers 45 and are discharged into a chute 48, the forward portion of which is curved upwardly, as shown at 49, and is connected with the binding table 32 in line with an opening 53 in the latter. A conveyor 5| is arranged in the rear portion of the chute to feed the husks forwardly to the binding table. However, this conveyor does not extend into the curved forward portion of the chute and there is a tendency for the husks to lodge in and clog this part of the chute. To secure a positive delivery of the husks an ejecting device is provided for forcing the husks out of the chute and onto the binding table. As here shown this ejecting device comprises an ejector arm 52 which is mounted exteriorly of this chute and extends into the latter through a longitudinal slot 53. The ejecting arm is connected with a crank arm 54 carried by the crank shaft 34 and which serves to move the ejector arm forwardly through the chute, then withdraw the same, move it rearwardy and insert it again in the chute, thus causing the husks to be positively ejected onto the binding table where `they will be bound into the bundles along with the stalks.

The several parts of the machine may be operated in any suitable manner from any suitable source of power. As here shown, these parts are operated from a main drive shaft through sprocket chains and gearing and this drive shaft is preferably driven by a suitable motor, such as a gasoline engine, substantially in the manner set forth in the aforesaid patent.

While I have shown and described one embodiment of my invention I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the details thereof as various modifications may occur to a person skilled in the art.

Having now fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a corn husking machine, an ear removing device, means for feeding stalks of corn transversely to their length to and past said ear removing device, a binding table to receive said stalks from said feeding means, and a supplemental feeding device arranged beyond said ear removing device and having means to engage the intermediate portions of said stalks and advance said intermediate portions with relation to the end portions of said stalks.

2. In a corn husking machine, an ear removing device, means for feeding stalks of corn transversely to their length to and past said ear removing device, a binding table to receive said stalks from said feeding means, a supplemental,

feeding device arranged beyond said ear removing device and having means to engage the intermediate portions of said stalks and move said intermediate portions forwardly with relation to the end portions of said'stalks as the latter move toward said binding table, and means for disengaging said supplemental feeding device from the stalks before the 'latter engage said binding table.

3.` In a corn husking machine, an ear removing device, means for feeding stalks of corn transversely t0 their length to and past said ear removing device, a binding table to receive said stalks from said feeding means, and a toothed element rotatably mounted between said ear removing device and said binding table and so arranged that the teeth thereof will engage the intermediate portions of said stalks and move said portions forwardly with relation to the end portions of said stalks.

4. In a corn husking machine, an ear removing device, means for feeding stalks of corn transversely to their length to and past said ear removing device, a binding table to receive said stalks from said feeding means, a toothed element rotatably mounted between said ear removing device and said binding table and so arranged that the teeth thereof will engage the intermediate portions of said stalks and move said portions forwardly with relation to the end portions of said stalks, a guide extending forwardly and downwardly about the axis of rotation of said toothed element in supporting relation to the intermediate portions of said stalks and having a slot through which the uppermost teeth of said element project, the lower portion of said guide being spaced such a distance from said axis that said teeth will be retracted toward the rear side of said guide as they approach said binding table.

5. In a corn husking machine, ear removing rollers mounted one above the other, conveyor elements arranged adjacent the ends of said rollers to move stalks of corn transversely to their length to and beyond said rollers and thus cause the ears on said stalks to be engaged by said rollers and severed from the stalks, and a supplemental stalk feeding device mounted between and spaced laterally from the forward portions of said conveyor elements and having means to enr gage the intermediate portions of said stalks and advance the same with relation to the end portions of said stalks.

6. In a corn husking machine, ear removing rollers mounted one above the other, conveyor elements arranged adjacent the ends of said rollers to move stalks of corn transversely to their length to and beyond said rollers and thus cause the ears on said stalks to be engaged by said rollers and severed from the stalks, and a sup-plemental stalk feeding device mounted between and spaced laterally from the forward portions of said conveyor elements and arranged to engage the intermediate portions of said stalks while the end portions thereof are engaged by said conveyor elements and advance said intermediate portions with relation to said end portions, and to disengage said intermediate portions when said stalks have moved out of engagement with said conveyor elements.

7. In a corn husking machine, ear removing rollers mounted one above the other, conveyor elements arranged adjacent the ends of said rollers to move stalks of corn transversely to their length to and beyond said rollers and thus cause the ears on said stalks to be 'engaged by said rollers and severed from the stalks, and a toothed Wheel rotatably mounted between and spaced laterally from the forward portions of said conveyor elements and having means to engage the intermediate portions of said stalks while the end portions thereof are engaged by said conveyor elementsand advance said intermediate portions with relation to said end portions, and means to disengage the teeth of said wheel from said stalks after the latter have passed beyond said conveyor elements.

8. In a corn husking machine, ear removing rollersmounted one above the other, conveyor elements arranged adjacent the ends of said rollers to move stalks of corn transversely to their length to and beyond said rollers and thus cause the ears Ion said stalks to be engaged by said rollers and severed from the stalks, a toothed wheel rotatably mounted between and spaced laterally from the forward portions of said conveyor elements and having means to engage the intermediate portions of said stalks while the end portions thereof are engaged by said conveyor elements and advance said intermediate portions with relation to said end portions, and a guide plate extending forwardly above vthe axis of said wheel in supporting relation to the intermediate portions of said stalks and having a downwardly curved forward portion, said plate being slotted to permit a part of said teeth to project beyond the same and having its lower portion spaced from the axis of said wheel a distance at least equal to the radial length of said teeth.

9. In a corn husking machine, an ear removing device, means for feeding stalks of corn transversely to their length to and past said ear removing device, a binding table to receive said stalks from said feeding means, a supplemental feeding device arranged beyond said ear removing device to engage the intermediate portions of said stalks and move said intermediate portions forwardly with relation to the end portions of said stalks, husking rollers to receive and husk the ears which have been removed from said stalks, a chute arranged to receive the husks from said husking rollers and deliver the same to said binding table, and having its forward portion inclined with relation to the rear portion thereof, means in the rear portion of said chute to move said husks into said inclined portion, and a separate device acting on said husks in the 'inclined forward portion of said chute to force the same from said chute onto said binding table.

10. In a corn husking machine, ear removing rollers mounted one above the other, conveyor elements arranged adjacent the ends of said rollers to move stalks of corn transversely to their length to and beyond said rollers and thus cause the ears on said stalks to be engaged by said rollers and severed from the stalks, a supplemental stalk feeding device mounted between and spaced laterally from the forward portions of said conveyor elements and having means to engage the intermediate portions of said stalks and advance the same with relation to the end portions of said stalks, and means acting on said stalks to first disengage the same from said conveyor elements and to thereafter disengage the same from said supplemental feeding device.

11. In a corn husking machine, ear removing rollers mounted one above the other, conveyor elements arranged adjacent the ends of said rollers to move stalks of corn transversely to their length to and beyond said rollers and thus cause the ears on said stalks to be engaged by said rollers and severed from tloe` stalks, a toothed Wheel rotatably mounted between and spaced laterally from the forward portions of said conveyor elements and arranged to engage the intermediate portions of said stalks While the end portions thereof are engaged by said conveyor elements and advance said intermediate portions with relation to the end portions of said stalks, and a guide platepextending forwardly 10 wheel.

above the axis of said wheel in supporting rela- SAMUEL E. MORRAL. 

